The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-07-29


II she can find time she will send YOU n line
shortly; but, as you will understand, she has
her hands very full Just at present. The
wedding Is to take place at Kesterwick church
ON the nth of May Chat is tomorrow, gentle
mem, and, II this letter reaches you in time,
am sure that you will think OF us all ON that
day. 1t viii be very quiet, owing TO our dear
aunts death being still so comparatively
recent. Indeed, the engagement has, IN
obedience to Mr. Plowden's wishes, for he IL
very retiring, been kept quite secret, and you
arc absolutely the first person TO whom it has
been announced. l hope that you will feel
duly hattered, sir. We are very busy about
the trousseau, and just now the burning ques-
tion is, of what color the dress In winch Eva
is to go away in after the wedding shall be.
Eva and are all for gray. Mr. Plowden IL
FOR olive green, and, as is natural under the
circumstances, expect that he will carry the
day. They are together in the drawing room
settling 1t now You always admired Eva
(rather warmly once; do you remember how
cut up you both were when you went awayi
Alas for the ilckleness of human nature) you
should see her now. Her happiness makes
her look lovely; but l hear her calling me.
No doubt they have settled this momentous
ing, but hope that my news will make up
for my want of skill. Always yours,
"'FLoRENCE CEswICK'
"Now for the inclosure," said Ernest
"'DEAR ERNEsT--I got your letter. Flor
ence will tell you what there is to tell am
going to be married. Think what you will
OF me; cannot help myself Believe me,
this has cost me great suffering, but my duty
seems clear. hope that you will forget me,
Ernest, as henceforth it will be my duty to
forget you. Good by my dear Ernest, oh,
good by. e."
"Humphw murmured Mr. Aston beneath
his breath, "as l thought, clay, and damned
bad clay, tool"
Slowly Ernest tore the letter into small
fragments, threw them down, and stamped
upon them with his foot as though they were
living thing.
a wisA1 had shaken the life out of that
devil of parsonp groaned Jeremy, who was
in his way as much affected by the news as
his friend.
"Curse youl" said Ernest, turning on him
dercely, "why didn't you stop where you
were and look after her, instead of coming
hunhugging after met"
jeremy only groaned by way Of answer
AIR. Aston, as was his way when perplexed.
filled his pipe and lit it. Ernest paced swiftly
up and down the little room, the white walls
Of which he had decorated with pictures cut
from illustrated papers, Christmas cards and
photographs Over the head of the bed was
photograph of Eva herself, which he had
framed in some beautiful native wood He
reached it down.
Look" he said, "that Is the lady herself
Handsome, isn't she, and pleasant to look ona
Who would have thought that she was such
devili Tells me to forget her, and talks
about her dutyr Women love little joke!"
He hurled the photograph on to the floor,
and treated it as he had treated the letter,
grinding it to pieces with his heel.
"They say" he went on, "that q mans
curses are sometimes heard wherever il is
they arrange these pleasant surprises for u.s.
Now, you fellows bear witness to what l
say, and watch that woman's life. l curse
her before God and mani May she lay down
her head in sorrow night by night, and year
by year! May herr
"Stop, Ernest" said Mr. Aston, with a
shrug, "you may be taken at your word, and
you wouldn't like that, you know. Besides,
it is cowardly to go on cursing at woman"
He paused standing for moment with his
clnched fist still raised above his head, his
pale lips quivering with intense excitement,
and his dark eyes flashing and blazing like
stars.
"You are right" he said, dropping his fist
on to the table. ut is with the man that
have to deal"
"What manl"
"This Plowden. 1 fear that shall disturb
his honeymoon"
"What do you meanp
~ mean that am going to kill him, or he
is going to kill me, it does not much matter
which"
"Why, what quarrel have you with the
mani OF course he looked after himself You
could not expect him to consider your inter
ests could youp
"If he had cut me out fairly, should not
have word to say. Every man for himself
In this pleasant world. But, mark my words.
this parson and Florence have forced her into
this unholy business and l will have his life
in payment II you don't believe me, ask
Jeremy. He saw something of the game be-
fore he left"
"Look here, Kershaw, the man is pastor
He will take shelter behind his cloth, he
won't fight. What shall you do thenl"
II shall shoot him." was the cool reply.
"Ernest, you are mad; it won't do; you
shall not 60, and that is all about it, You
shall not ruin yourself over this woman, who
is not fit to black an honest mans shoes"
"Shall not shall not Alston, you use
strong language Who will prevent mer
II will prevent you. am your superior
officer, and. the corps you belong to is not
dsbanded. If you try to leave this place
you shall be arrested as a deserter. Now
don't be fool lad; you have killed one man,
and got out of the mess. II you kill another,
you will not get out of it. Besides, what
will the satisfaction bei If you want re-
venge, be patient 1t will come. l have
seen something of life; at least, am old
enough 10 be your father, and know that
you think me cynie because laugh at your
'highfautin about women. How justly |
warned you, you see now. But, cynic or, no.
l believe in the God above, and believe.
too, that there Is a rough justice in this
world. 1t is in the world principally that
people expiate the sins of the world, and il
this marriage is such wicked thing, as YOU
think, it will bring its own Trouble with it,
without any help from you. Time will
avenge you Everything comes to him who
can wait"
Ernest's eyes glittered coldly as he
answered
II cannot wait l am a ruined man al
ready, all my life is laid waste. wish to die.
but wish to kill him before die"
$50 sure as my name is Aston you shall not
gol"
$50 sure as my name is Kershaw | win goln
For moment the two men faced one
another; it would have been hard to saw
which looked the most determined. Then
MI Aston turned and left the room and the
house. On the veranda he paused and
thought for moment.
"Ihe boy means business" he thought TO
himself ale will try and bolt. How can |
stop hint All, have it," and he set off
briskly toward the Government house, saying
aloud as he went, II love that lad too well TO
let him destroy himself over a jilt."